Agnes, or, Beauty and Pleasure — page 376: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

-—-___-—-— —w-—_o__—_-—_— 368 AGNES; OR, BEAUTY AND PLEASURE. not forget my oath; and even the tenderest feel- ings of kinship and the closest ties dwindle into naught when compared with the sense of all the patriotic devotion I owe to my ative land.” “And you see, my friends,” said Stefano Voi- tura, “ that it is not by mere words her Highness proves this devotedness on her part. She was just now beyond all danger — she was exempt from all the consequences of past incidents— she ‘ might haye returned to Sardinia, to eecupy once more her eplendid palace at Turin, und plunge into all the pleasures which her vast furtune would enable her to enjoy. But no: Her High ness comes amongst us again!—ste takes the step which once wore imperils ber!—-ske 18 again in league with conspirators, as the tyrants dare to designate us!” “You say so many kind things concerning me,” remarked the Princess, with a smile, “ that I sball begin to wonder by what possible means | may justify all these compliments. But why am I now amongst you once more? It is that we may con- sult upon the plans which ought next to be adopted.” Having thus so far succeeded in giving to the discourse that gloss which entiely suited their own views, Stefano Voitura and the Princess proceeded to deliberate with Raguso and Spezzi in a man- ner which seemed to proclaim them to be devoted heart and soul to tbe grand object as heretofore. Time passed on; and when the conversation began to exhaust its most serious topics, Raguso proposed that they should sup. “The offer will be agreeable enough, if you possess the materials,” answered Voitura. ‘| was thinking, as I came hither with ber Highness, whether you had been careful to make provision of this nature—or whether you in any way relied upon me P” “We did not rely upon you,” answered Raguso, “because you did not specify the hour at which we might expect you. We therefore took care of ourselves— as Spezai will full soon proceed to con- vince you.” Thus speaking, he turned the iantern in a par- ticular direction; and Spezzi, penetrating farther into the vault, produced trom a niche—or rather from a hollow place formed by tho falling away of some of the brickwork—a small leathern port. manteau, or haversack, of the description and di- mensions such as pedestrian tourists on the Conti- nent are frequently in the habit of using. It con- tained changes of linen and toilet mecessaries in one compartment: but from another certain comestibles were forthcoming, in the shape of a meat-pie, some biscuits, dried fruits, a flask of Spirits, and another of wine, “You bave-indeed taken care to provision the garrison,” said Vvitura. “I confess that when vou first mentioned the name of supper, I flung a glance around the cheerless place, wondering whether you were in jest—and if not, whence the provender was to display itselt.”” “Well, you see, my friend,” answered Raguso, “even a miserable half-exposed cellar like this has its conveniences when persons cbovse to look out for them. At the extremity—whbere the vault ie pertectly free ffom damp—there is a bed of dried leaves; for Spezzi and IL were not idle during the hours that we were alone together. Fen Presently we will spread our mantles; and hee Highness may repose herself in such comfort as these preparations can afford, and in such security as the arms of three determined men may be enabled to guarantee.” “And now I bethink me,” said Voitura, “where have you disposed of the casket—the iron box I mean—containing those valuable ietters P” “T will show you,” answered Raguso ; and taking up the lantern, be displayed a little niche which he himself bad just now made in the wall, by removing a portion of the masonry. It was at a height of about a couple of feet from the floor of the cellar ; and as Ravuso, while seated on the ground, bad been resting his back against the wall, his shoulders concealed that piace wherein the casket was deposited. “Tf we sleep at all to-night,”’ he eaid, “ 7 shall slumber in the same position in which I have been sitting. The slightest touch will in that case awaken me;—snd thus if you, my friends, were to sink into the profoundest slumber, no one could stealthily carry off that box—supposing,. I mean, that any lurking thief found bie way bither, with a certain foreknowledge and a particular in- tent in bis mind.” * Ob, but we will take our turns,” said Voitura, “in keeping watch throughout the night.” The little party now addressed themselves to the provender that was furnished for the supper ; and Voitura purposely suggested that the flask of wine should be left for the exclusive use of the Princess. The proposal was as a matter of course immediately assented to by Raguso and Spezzi— to whom Voitura took care to leave the flask of spirits; for on each occasion when he applied it to his lips, he merely pretended to drink, but did not in reality suffer a drup to pass down his throat. We should add that buth himself and the Princess continued to talk in @ strain consistent with the idea of the most uncompromising devotion towards ‘the good cause.” Soon after the supper was disposed of, Voitura, addressing himself to the Princess, said, “ You will perbaps do well, signora, to lie down and take a little rest : for it ie impossible to foresee what fatigues may await us fur the morrow.” The Princess comprehended that Stefano must have a motive for the suggestion ; and she there- fore repued, “I will follow your well-meant counee!,” “Let me give your Highness my cloak,” Voitura hastened to observe. “Here! this way, signora |” “ Light them with the lantern, Spezzi,” said Raguso. ‘Here is indeed a pile of leaves!” exclaimed Voitura ; then the next moment he whispered in Bianca’s ear, ‘‘ Watch well! If the worst ensue, Spezzi will be your opponent !— Here is the cloak, signora, be at once added audibly. The Princess received the mantle, which she threw upon the bed of leaves; while Voitura and Spezzi returned with the lantern towards the en- trance of the vault. “And now,” ssid Voitura, “ if ye, my friends, seem inclined to slumber, I will take the firat turn as sentinel.” “I know not how it is,” said Signor Spegsi; “but whether I took more than my share of the chook (E©) 5}